Town 0-1 Rotherham - Match Report
Saturday, 19th Mar 2016 17:15

Leon Best’s goal a minute before half-time saw Rotherham United to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. The former Irish international scraped home from close range from a Matt Derbyshire cross, the Millers having caught Town on the break after they had lost possession from a freekick in the visitors’ half.

Boss Mick McCarthy named the same team which beat Blackburn 2-0 on Tuesday with new loan signing Liam Feeney amongst the subs.

Also on the bench were ex-Miller Ben Pringle and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who came in for the injured Luke Varney, while Michael Crowe took the place of the ill Dean Gerken as the sub keeper.

Rotherham included former Town loanee Paul Green on their bench, while Paddy Kenny, who was on a short-term deal with the Blues last season without making an appearance, was the Millers’ sub keeper.

The Blues created the game’s first opportunity in the fifth minute when skipper Luke Chambers crossed from the right and Freddie Sears, playing on the left of a front three with Daryl Murphy on the right and the more central Brett Pitman dropping deeper, headed over.

Town had the better of the opening quarter of an hour but without threatening again until the 16th minute when, after good work down the left from Jonathan Douglas, Pitman teed up Sears, but his shot failed to test Lee Camp in the Rotherham goal.

On 21 Lee Frecklington claimed he’d been fouled by Douglas as he broke into the area chasing a pass over the top but the former Peterborough man appeared just to have been out-muscled.

A minute later, with the visitors now on top, Richard Smallwood brought the ball in from the left and hit a low shot which Bartosz Bialkowski claimed easily.

In the 37th minute, after Bialkowski had been crowded out as a long throw came in from the right, Frecklington looped the loose ball wide.

Two minutes later, the Blues carved out an opportunity but Camp confidently dealt with Chambers’s shot, to ironic cheers from a section of the Town support in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

At the other end, Grant Ward struck a deflected effort from the edge of the box which Bialkowski pushed behind to his left.

Rotherham had shaded a not overly engaging half and a minute before the break they went in front.

Following a Town freekick in the Millers’ half, Douglas played a loose pass on halfway and Derbyshire broke away down the right before crossing to the unmarked Best, who turned home before Christophe Berra could get back to intercept.

There was no time for the Blues to hit back before referee Stephen Martin blew his final whistle, signalling boos from a frustrated Town support.

Even before the goal it had been a disappointing half from Town, who after starting positively had allowed the visitors to get on top and on the balance of the half overall they deserved their lead.

Unsurprisingly, the Blues made a switch of personnel at the break with new loan signing Feeney handed his debut and Douglas making way.

Town began the half brightly and soon after the restart Chambers fed Sears on the right of the area and the former Colchester man hit a low shot which was cleared from inside the six-yard box.

The Blues kept up the early pressure, Pitman forcing Camp into a brave save as he sought to latch on to a loose ball in the box.

On 53 Feeney whipped over a cross from the right which Jonas Knudsen headed against a defender and out for a corner. From the flag-kick, the ball reached Chambers but the Town captain was unable to make significant contact with his header. Seconds later, as Rotherham looked to break, Knudsen was booked for a foul on Ward.

In the 57th minute Feeney battled for the ball with Joe Mattock on the right before sending over a cross which Knudsen headed straight at Camp.

As the game moved past the hour, Pitman did well to find Sears on the left as he was fouled by Greg Halford, referee Martin waving play on. Sears took the ball into the area and shot well wide before Halford was yellow-carded for the foul.

Town were still less than convincing with the ball being given away cheaply on too many occasions, while cross after cross was claimed by Camp in the air.

But on 67 Pitman worked himself a chance on the edge of the area and was fouled by Lloyd Doyley as he hit a shot which was deflected wide.

Town’s top scorer took the freekick himself but blazed well over. Three minutes later, ex-Miller Pringle took over from Pitman.

On 74 Kevin Bru replaced Hyam for Town and four minutes later Joe Newell came on for Derbyshire for the Millers.

The Blues continued to make little headway and on 88 Rotherham created their first chance of the half, Halford cutting back to Ward, who screwed his shot wide.

The fourth official’s board indicated an additional four minutes with Town still rarely looking like getting back on terms.

Feeney, the Blues’ main second-half threat, broke away on the left and cut the ball across when he might have shot but won a corner from which Town came as close to a goal as they had all match.

A loose ball fell to Pringle beyond the far post but he hit his shot from a tight angle across the face of goal and wide with none of his team-mates able to add a final touch.

Soon after, the referee blew his whistle signalling boos and chants of ‘What a load of rubbish’ from the home support.

Manager Mick McCarthy immediately made his way down the tunnel, unusually not staying on the pitch to shake his players’ hands along with assistant boss Terry Connor.

As at Cardiff last week, having gone behind, the Blues were huffed and puffed but - after their post-half-time flurry - were devoid of ideas and were unable to seriously threaten Rotherham’s lead, a couple of Feeney crosses aside.

It was as poor a performance as Town have put in at home in what’s generally been a disappointing season at Portman Road.

Given the toughness of the Blues’ remaining away games, missing out on three points from what looked on paper to be a very winnable home match is a significant bow to Town’s up and down play-off aspirations.

Rotherham, now unbeaten in five, winning four, are out of the bottom three and up to 10th.

The result sees the Blues stay eighth but now four points - plus goal difference - from the play-offs ahead of the two-week gap for the international break with Town next in action at Wolves on April 2nd.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Smith, Berra, Skuse, Hyam (Bru 74), Douglas (Feeney 46), Sears, Murphy, Pitman (Pringle 70). Unused: Crowe, Maitland-Niles, Digby, Foley.

Rotherham: Camp, Mattock, Broadfoot (c), Frecklington, Kelly, Halford, G Ward, Derbyshire (Newell 78), Smallwood, Doyley, Best (Clarke-Harris 84). Unused: Kenny, Wood, D Ward, Green, Burke. Referee: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire). Att: 20,318 (Rotherham: 344).

Photo: Action Images

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ShropshireBluenago09 added 17:33 - Mar 19

Foley and Pringle have been our best midfielders in recent weeks and Mick drops them both for 2 backward un-imaginitive , non-ball playing midfielders. Skews and Douglas are too often our worst players. Feeney should have started on right and Pringle left. Skews and Foley in centre. Width and crosses for Murph, especially at home are the key.Our home form has been poor for a team with ambitions on the play-offs.
Wolves fans warned me about MM and they were correct.
Supporters are entitled to boo and voice opinion, they pay there wages.

Bob7881 added 17:34 - Mar 19 Just Listened to MMs post match interview his words the players where poor and he takes responsibility he got selection wrong.BUT STILL NOTHING WILL CHANGE!!!!!
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Tractorboy1985 added 17:34 - Mar 19

No good starting with 3 strikers if u haven't got the flaming players behind them to supply the passes!! I like Luke as he gives his all for the shirt but he is not and never will be a creative player! The other 2 donkeys beside him well the less said the better.. Won't waste my time! Sears has to play up top with Murphy/pitman (whoever is on form) behind those we can play Pringle left feeney right and Hyam and bru in the centre! Dreadful result and all but ends hope of a playoff spot! Let's see some of the younger players and give them some experience ahead of next season.. In the championship

OldClactonBlue added 17:34 - Mar 19 If you pick a team like that you don't deserve any better. Sorry.
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Bob7881 added 17:36 - Mar 19 Harrys_H Every fan has the right to show their approval or disapproval.
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Bluetone added 17:37 - Mar 19 So boring So predictable So McCarthy Time McCarthy did an IDS
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Portman51 added 17:39 - Mar 19

In a season of mediocrity, performance if not results-wise, surely a shocking new low. Dreadful negative team selection duly rewarded with a display of aimless hoofball which would have shamed a primary school team. Any resemblance between Douglas and a professional footballer was purely coincidental, his only meaningful contribution before being subbed was to gift Rotherham their goal. Hyam was equally invisible, while Murphy seemed totally uninterested. Only Bialkowski, Sears and, when he came on, Feeney earned their corn today. I wanted McCarthy when he was appointed because a strong character was needed to sort Keane's and Jewell's wasters out, but the thought of four more years of this rubbish is truly depressing.

prebsa added 17:39 - Mar 19 HarryS_H Us fans pay their money and they expect better for that. We can express our views in any way we see fit!
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superblue70 added 17:40 - Mar 19 Harry's h so we all know nothing about football, well what I do know is you can have as many strikers on the pitch as you like, but if you have no creative spark in midfield the chances of them scoring is very low. I believe mick is a man of honour time to do the honourable thing I think.
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DurhamTownFan added 17:41 - Mar 19

I'm still grateful that Mick saved us, but we need to live in the here and now now the two/three years ago. Judge this season based on last and we have unquestionably gone backwards. Yes there are factors such as injuries, but the buck stops at the manager: a man who continues to stick with the same plan even though it falls short week after week. I've had enough: MM out. Yes it's a risk, but I'd rather take a risk than watch this boring and uninspiring dross for another year!

sproughtonblue added 17:43 - Mar 19 Mick out
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RaymondovicBlue added 17:44 - Mar 19 Not Good Enough 3 points missed by Mick... 1)Don't play Skuse with Hyam and Douglas 2)Don't play Hyam with Douglas and Skuse 3)Don't play Douglas with Skuse and Hyam
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HarryS_H added 17:44 - Mar 19

Players have the right to do their job without being verbally abusedo and harassed which done anywhere other than a football pitch is a crime! I welcome anyone who wants me to come to their work place and judge their every move and attack any mistake. They're only human.

I will support my team win lose or draw, booing is disgusting to the team you're meant to support! You should all be ashamed!

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beornioblue added 17:46 - Mar 19 Worst its been.. Playing A bottom 3 team .. At home.. With 3 defensive midfielders !?!?!? Words fail me I couldn't believe when I saw the teams walk out I was almost speechless I could only manage a few choice words ! Enough is enough mick that wasn't even football until our new signing came on ... Why the hell wouldn't you start him
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Suffolk_n_Good added 17:46 - Mar 19

That was truly p*$$ poor, starting Hyam, Skuse & Douglas in the same side again, is unforgivable, no energy, no passion, no desire, no plan A that alone a plan B!! We didn't take the game to them, we invited them to come & take the 3 points.
And let's get another thing clear, I've supported ITFC since I was 6 years old (now 41) if I want to boo, I bloody well will do! I'm sick & tired of so called fans telling me what I should be doing, why should we accept this mediocre dross, football is entertainment, I see better football watching my sons U12's. McCarthy has to go now, enough is enough, & Evans either has to spend to get some quality in or sell up, I'm seriously getting to the point where I'm ready to walk away, I can't but myself through it anymore.....

cartman1972 added 17:46 - Mar 19 Harry S go away you pedantic little fool
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blues1 added 17:49 - Mar 19

Good to see everyone so far isn't just blaming lack of investment by Evans for this. Yes, we all know there needs to be some money spent but this result and performance was entirely down to an A fully team selection by the dinosaur that is McCarthy. I knew as soon as i saw the line up that this was likely to happen. To set up against a team like Rotherham( no offence meant to them BTW), with 3 holding midfielder is ridiculous. If, as we did, u then go a goal down its always gonna be difficult to turn it round, which was proven. Feeney the only plus of the day. Time for McCarthy to go I'm afraid. Don't think I could stand another 3 years of total boredom.

Jimmy86 added 17:49 - Mar 19

We got exactly what we deserved today and that was absolutely nothing. Mick did not set us up to win the game from the outset. The team that finished the game is more like the 1 that should have started it. No midfielder showed for the ball and there is still far too much long ball. Douglas was rightly subbed, as he was atrocious. Feeney did more in 5 minutes than Douglas did the whole first half. Douglas is a complete passenger and playing 3 holding midfielders against a team in the bottom 3, all be it on a decent run is so negative. Soon as they went 1 nil up they were always going to take their time over everything. The ref should have wised up to it and got the yellow card out... all well and good adding time on, but it's still gamesmanship, or cheating. Didn't boo, but can understand why people did.

therein61 added 17:50 - Mar 19

On the station awaiting the long journey back to Bath still wondering why both Skuse and Douglas were selected and potential game changing/winning/creative players were left on the bench( big mistake Mick you lost the point you set out for!!) if you are going to continue playing your pets then leave them on the park and not put on proper footballers who are under immediate pressure to put things right after their inept performance i'm sorry to say it but I am totally fed up with your blinkered approach Mick you will not change just kindly leave the building and take Cole Skuse with you.

superblue70 added 17:50 - Mar 19 Harry's h if I made the same mistakes day in day out I would be sacked and rightly so
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cornishblu added 17:51 - Mar 19 HarrySh## ,...you completely miss the point ..THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH WE ARE PLAYING WOEFULLY RUBBISH STYLE OF FOOTBALL THAT NO ONE ENJOYS ......we play like the gaps in your name suggest ....WE DO NOT ACCEPT THAT THIS IS HOW IPSWICH SHOULD PLAY....therefore THEY DESERVE BEING BOOED ...shouting you down as it's the only way of getting through to you !!COYB
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Bob7881 added 17:51 - Mar 19 The sad fact is in McCarthy we have a manager on an extended contract and has already run out of ideas. Having listened to him on the radio hes almost arrogant about today weve had a bad day simple as that as he put it. Please enlighten us someone at the club WHAT THE HELL DO THE PLAYERS DO ON THE PRACTICE PITCH ALL WEEK?
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runaround added 17:53 - Mar 19

Got to the ground, saw the lineup & wanted to go back to the pub. Awful team selection & tactics got what we deserved. Rotherham had an easy day. Feeney & Pringle were brought on far too late when Rotherham had something to hold onto then ridiculous kept swapping wings as Mick no doubt wanted them coming inside to be defensively strong? In a must win home game? Stupidly mind blowing inept management. I usually try to find a positive with ITFC but today has just left me wondering where we go from here. I will renew my season ticket because I'm addicted to going to matches but would much rather see a team trying to win & entertaining football rather than defensive try not to lose hoofball. Even if we are further down the league. If MM & ME won't provide this then it's time for some new blood. I don't want MM out but if he can't see how wrong he got it then he needs to change or be removed. I need a Guinness